Table of Contents 

1) Message from the Conference

2) Latest News

3) Around the Conference

4) Prayer Concerns

5) Save the Date & Cont. Ed Resources

6) VTCUCC Classifieds

DEADLINE for E-Kit News must be received by Tuesday of each week. Please send any and all information please email: admin@vermontucc.org

Message from the Conference

Dear Beloved Community in the Vermont Conference,

On July 11-15, the 35th UCC General Synod will be held in Kansas City. Our Conference delegation includes: Jane LoBrutto, Rev. Rhonda Myers, Dave Schilling, Rev. Caryne Eskridge, Rev. Ezra Chapola, and Rev. Laura Engelken as well as Paul Sangree and me. Unfortunately, Kevin Goldenbogen and his son, Simon as not able to be with us. They will be missed!

This year’s theme is: Into the Deep—a phrase that invites us to follow God with faith and courage in these challenging times. In the Gospel of Luke 5:4, Jesus calls Simon Peter to “put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Despite Simon’s initial doubts, the disciples experience an overwhelming abundance when they follow Jesus’ call. This story serves as a metaphor for faith: stepping beyond the familiar, trusting God’s guidance, and being open to transformation. What might this mean for us?

A Call to Courage

Going “into the deep” means confronting difficult questions about justice, inclusion, and the future of the church. It asks members to risk new ways of being church, to innovate in worship and outreach, and to trust that God is present even when the path is unclear.

A Commitment to Justice

The UCC has a long history of prophetic witness on issues like racial justice, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and environmental stewardship. “Into the Deep” encourages us to push further, to join together to resist injustice and stand for the inclusive welcome God invites in the Beloved Community.

A Journey of Faith

Just as the disciples had to trust Jesus in the unfamiliar waters, the UCC is called to deepen its faith, to listen for God’s voice, and to be open to transformation. This journey may involve letting go of old patterns and embracing new possibilities.

Please hold our Conference delegates as well as the whole General Synod in your prayers. If you would like to learn more about this Synod and to read the proposed resolutions, you can find that information here: www.generalsynod.org. May we all be willing to go “Into the Deep” to trust, to risk, and to follow God’s call into uncharted waters. As we seek to live our faith day by day, may we do so with the assurance that the Spirit leads the way.

God bless you,

Lynn

_{Latest News}

A few photos from Confirmation Sunday at Stowe Community Church!

Congratulations to Ava Kelsey Bilton, approved this past Sunday by Ecclesiastical Council of the Addison Association of the Vermont Conference, UCC for ordination pending call!

Resolution of Compensating Black Musicians/Lyricists by way of Support of Black Music

In case you hadn’t heard, at this year’s Annual Meeting of the Vermont Conference, we passed a Resolution to encourage congregations to donate funds to organizations that promote or benefit the previously unrecognized Black composers of spirituals and other music. This resolution passed unanimously and its implementation is being facilitated by the Justice & Witness Ministries Committee.

The Jeff Church, UCC, will be setting aside $10 every time we sing or play the music of a Negro spiritual, or music/lyrics created by Black musicians and lyricists. As a small church, it will be a while before we have an amount worthy of sending to a cause or organization that fits the resolution passed at our Annual Meeting in May. As a member of Justice & Witness Ministries of the VTCUCC, I am reaching out to learn if there are congregations who would like to pool their monies collected based upon the mission of the Resolution to donate to a particular group, organization, or cause recommended by the JWM team on an annual basis? Pooling our money will result in an amount that can truly benefit the chosen recipient for that year. Please email me at revsallyjeffucc@gmail.com with your interest and ideas. Thanks!

Hello to other Congregationalists and faith groups in Vermont. We at the UCC Justice and Witness Ministries and the Charlotte Congregational Church want to encourage faith groups to organize and be present at the upcoming VT rallies being held on No Kings Day on June 14. 

• This is part of our faith role to promote hope and public witness regarding the recent actions that threaten social justice that are from the newly elected federal administration. 
• No Kings Day is a national response to the military parade being held in Washington DC on Flag Day, June 14. Local groups are organizing across the country to offset this event being held in Washington. Also, a large No Kings protest will be held in Philadelphia. 
• Many rallies are being planned across Vermont: https://50501vermont.com/no-kings-day/ 
• Several groups in Vermont such as 50501 and Indivisible are also planning a Relay for Democracy along the Route 7 Corridor in western VT. This will involve a truck carrying an American Flag (donated by a family of a WWII veteran) traveling along Rt 7 from Williamstown Massachusetts to Highgate VT. 
• We in Charlotte plan to be present to support the Route 7 Relay by being at the the Route 7 site in Charlotte as the Relay passes through on its way north to Burlington and then onward to Swanton/Highgate. 
• CCC and the Vermont United Church of Christ are working to encourage members of all faith groups to attend the rallies and gatherings at the towns and cities in Vermont. Perhaps some of your members are planning to attend as individuals - it would be easy to them to gather together and carry a sign that identifies them as members of your congregation, providing a presence at the crowd that reinforces the role of faith in social justice. 
• See attached letter and the schedule for the Route 7 Relay.  
• Feel free to email me or the UCC Conference if you have more ideas or questions. We in Charlotte are still finalizing our plans, as are other groups who are participating in this day of witness. 
• Please forward widely to colleagues and other faith communities who may be interested. 

Oppose the "One Big Evil Bill"!

The work of rural healthcare providers is sacred— offering not just medical care, but comfort, dignity, and presence in times of crisis and celebration alike. Yet Congress is poised to threaten the very institutions that make this healthcare possible, putting lives and communities at risk. 

Take Action Here!

The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill" is currently under consideration by the U.S. Senate after the House passed the bill in May. While the bill defunds most federal programs for the poor, it would specifically reduce federal Medicaid spending by $723 billion over the next 10 years. 

This will have a disproportionate impact on rural healthcare providers, including hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. Folks in rural areas are less likely to have private coverage compared to those in urban and other areas, so Medicaid traditionally helps fill this gap in private coverage, covering nearly one in four individuals in rural areas. In many states, Medicaid coverage rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas or other areas of the state. 

Rural hospitals, which rely heavily on Medicaid and already operate on thin margins, will be hit hardest—many may be forced to close their doors for good. This bill slashes Medicaid by imposing harsh work requirements, adding $35 copays, and blocking those removed from re-enrolling through the ACA Marketplace—leaving 11 million people uninsured. Uninsured patients still seek care, often in emergency rooms, driving up overcrowding, delaying urgent care, and pushing uncompensated care costs to $278 billion over the next decade.  

Protecting rural healthcare workers is a profound expression of our faith’s call to care for one another, especially the most vulnerable. The work of these institutions is an embodiment of compassion, justice, and healing that echoes the ministry of Jesus, who went out to the margins to serve. 

Supporting and safeguarding rural healthcare is a moral imperative for people of faith who believe that every person deserves to be safe, healthy, and cared for. Tell your senators today to vote NO on this Big Evil Bill!

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

(Please let us know what your Congregation is up to by sending an email to VermontConference@gmail.com .

You may just see yourself or someone you love in the eKit or our Facebook page!)

From Pastor Chris Heintz: Hello My Friend,

If you’ve been waiting for a good day to donate to my Empire State Ride to End Cancer, Today is THE Day. Our sponsors Timberbuilt and Port X Logistics are sponsoring a $50,000 fundraising match.

Gifts up to $150 will be matched dollar for dollar.

Gifts over $150 will still receive a $150 match.

I’m already 2/3 on the way to reach my goal of $20,000 for the cutting edge research at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and a contribution TODAY would go DOUBLE toward that goal. Make a secure online donation using the QR code or Donate link below!

We all know someone who has had cancer. This is your opportunity to help find cures and breakthrough treatments for something that affects us all.

Please give today! And spread the word.

I ride so that others might live!

Chris Heintz

This Summer I'm riding 550 miles to End Cancer!

Greetings VT Conference!

It was such a pleasure to meet you all at your Annual Meeting at the beginning of May and spend the weekend worshiping, square dancing, learning, and connecting with you! Thank you so much for the warm welcome and for allowing me to share about Horton Center, the Outdoor Ministries site of the NH UCC Conference. 

Camp registration is OPEN! There are spots still available in our camp sessions and retreat sessions - so don't wait! Check out the full summer and fall schedule here: And be sure to reach out to me if you have any questions! 

Counselors are NEEDED! Are you looking for a way to make a difference? Are you seeking a place to retreat to for a week at a time where you will have fun, explore your faith, lead, be transformed, and feel renewed? Come to camp as a volunteer counselor! The amazing magic of camp is not possible without people like YOU! Email me for more information about the role and our needs this summer: TPare@nhcucc.org

Scholarships are Available! Scholarships are available through local churches and the NH and VT conferences. We hope that no one will miss out on the transformative ministry of camp due to financial reasons, so please feel free to fill out an application today! 

I'd love to see you on the mountain this summer! (I promise we'll have more delicious fudgy brownies there!). 

Shalom, 

Tivvi Pare 

(she/her/hers)

Horton Center Executive Director 

NHCUCC Christian Edu. Specialist

603-545-9660

PRAYER CONCERNS

Prayers for those who are being deported without due process.

Prayers for Ukraine, Gaza, Congo and other places in the world with ongoing wars.

Prayers for those caught in natural disasters.

Save the Date & Cont. Ed Resources

Craigville Theological Colloquy

July 7-11, 2025

Courage and Communion:

How Eucharistic Worship

Can Empower and Revive Churches

Registration is now open!

In the New Testament church, the sacrament of Holy Communion kept hope alive in times of anxiety and fear. The world was a dangerous place for Christians, but when the congregation gathered at the table on Sunday, they experienced their sacred meal as the foretaste of a future banquet where everyone was welcome, no one was abandoned or afraid.

In this century, can the sacrament have the same transformative power in our churches as it did for our ancestors? Can Eucharistic worship sustain community in a time when many of us are fearful for the future of our congregations, our country and our world? Can the Eucharist revive struggling churches and deepen our commitment to justice and care for creation?

Keynoter and worship leader will be the Rev. Dr. Mary Luti, retired professor of Christian worship and preaching at Andover Newton Theological School (now Andover Newton Seminary at Yale) and formerly senior minister at First Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the editor of Do This: Communion for Just and Courageous Living, published by Pilgrim Press.

Now in its 41st year, the Craigville Theological Colloquy brings together ordained and lay leaders in a unique experience of theological reflection and renewal in historic Craigville Village on Cape Cod. A hybrid of retreat, conference and summer vacation, afternoons are always free to enjoy Craigville's famous beach or to explore the Cape. Partial scholarships are available for seminarians and other students, and continuing education credit for ministers. Registration and more information at https://craigvillecolloquy.com

Home   About Us    Programs   For Authorizing Bodies     Contact Us     Donate    

Are you considering studying more about the Bible or working toward the Bible Studies Certificate? A good overview of the Bible, What is the Bible? (Dickinson/MBS), begins September 17.

The 3-course Bible Studies Certificate guides the learner to deepen their knowledge and current scholarship of the Old and New Testaments, while also giving the learner opportunities to create and teach curriculum in their own faith community.

·       Old Testament Hermeneutics          08/6/2025 - 9/23/2025

·       New Testament Hermeneutics         10/8/2025 - 11/18/2025

·       Approved Elective Course with Bible Study Project

Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply for these and other courses.

 Welcome, Farewell, and Blessings

Pastoral Transitions

VERMONT UCC CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted in Charlotte, Vermont

Charlotte Congregational Church (an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ) is searching for a qualified candidate to fill our open as Administrative Assistant position. Hours and work location are flexible.  For more information about the position, please see job description here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fzPgidKAN2bfR-hHxkUruwhLjf2naYN4/view?usp=drive_link

If you are interested in applying, please contact Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen at: rev.kemg@gmail.com.  

https://www.charlotteucc.org/

Mission and faith identity support:

Applicants should demonstrate full support of the mission, values, and faith orientation of the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, UCC and the United Church of Christ as a welcoming, historic, and progressive Christian faith community. The applicant will unreservedly support the church’s identity as an Open and Affirming (i.e. LGBTQ+ affirming) congregation. For more details regarding the position, please visit our website: https://www.fccej.org/v5/who-we-are/work-with-us/ FCCEJ is an open and affirming church, serving all in the spirit of Christ.

Please send resume and cover letter to: welcome@fccej.org

FOR MORE CONFERENCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Join the Movement toward Racial Justice

The United Church of Christ invites you to participate in the Join the Movement Campaign, a three-year initiative that recognizes local churches’ works towards racial justice. Together, we can advocate for all people to live without acts of violence or structures and systems that harm God’s human creation.

For the latest news click here

The Online Learning Platform of the United Church of Christ

How to Contact Vermont Conference Staff

Conference Minister: Rev. Dr. Lynn Bujnak at: lbujnak@vermontucc.org

Associate Conference Minister: Rev. Paul Sangree at: psangree@vermontucc.org

Ministries Coordinator ackie Lingelbach at: jlingelbach@vermontucc.org (search & call, ministerial standing, pulpit supply list, etc.)

Office Administrator: Jenni Grout at admin@vermontucc.org

(event registration, financial, governance other business)

Disaster Ministries: disasterministries@vermontucc.org

Dean of Ministry21: Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno at: VTDean@min21.org

Connect with us on:

visit our website at http://www.vermontucc.org/